Question: I have come of hospital after having an an ERCP( under general anaesthetic) which should have been a day at the hospital, this resulted in pancreatitis keeping me there for 9 days. Since the day I could eat I have had severe diarrhoea which has continued now for the last three weeks. I am also very depressed and panicky. The surgeon says the pancreatitis has cleared up and the remaining pains and diarrhea are due to IBS. It had been suggested before that I could have IBS but I have never suffered this much before with pains. Is this happening because of the pancreatitis and what can I do please?

Answer:  Pancreatitis rarely clears up completely.  It can often lead to an impairment of pancreatic function which can last weeks or months and cause diarrhoea and pain when you eat.  This is because the fat in your diet is not completely digested and it enters the large bowel where it acted upon by the bacteria and converted to what is to all intents and purposes a laxative (like castor oil).  It sounds as if you will need to take supplements of pancreatic enzymes (such as Creon) sprinkled on your meals until this clears up.  

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